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Aug 23, 20234 min read

Surviving College: Tips for Balancing Time, Reducing Stress, and Staying Organized

Updated: Apr 3


time management, stress reduction, stress control, power of routines.
One key to stress reduction is proper time management. Proper balance requires planning.

Helpful Tips on Time Management, Stress Control, and Tech-Savvy Planning


Introduction


College life offers a myriad of experiences, from intensive study sessions to social gatherings and everything in between. But it's easy to get overwhelmed and find yourself stressed, disorganized, and missing out on both academic and social opportunities. This guide aims to help you not only with effective time management and stress control but also with leveraging technology and building routines to keep all aspects of your college life on track.


Set Clear Priorities for Time Management.



Before diving into the chaos that is college, outline your commitments:

  • Critical and Time-Sensitive: Academic deadlines, bills, immediate responsibilities.

  • Important but Not Immediate: Career planning, long-term projects, personal growth.

  • Short-Term Obligations: Day-to-day errands, meetings, chores.

  • Low-Priority: Social events, leisure activities.


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Integrating Technology Your Time Management


Living in the digital age, you have access to a plethora of tools to keep you organized:

  • Google Calendar: Great for time-blocking and setting reminders. Accessible on multiple platforms, including iPhone and Android.

  • To do list: A task management app that lets you categorize and prioritize tasks.

  • Notion: Ideal for project management, taking notes, and even maintaining a personal wiki.

  • Apple’s Reminders: If you’re an iPhone user, this built-in app integrates with Siri and allows for easy to-do lists and reminders.

Remember, the best tool is the one that you'll actually use, so choose wisely.


Time Blocking and Routine Building


The idea of allocating specific chunks of time for various tasks isn't new, but it's particularly effective. Incorporate this into a daily or weekly routine to create a structure that naturally reduces stress.


The Power of Routines


Routines bring a predictable rhythm to your day, reducing decision fatigue and freeing up mental energy for more critical tasks. Here are some routine ideas:

  • Morning Routine: A set of activities that help you start your day right, perhaps including a workout, breakfast, and a quick review of the day’s tasks.

  • Study Routine: A pre-study ritual, like brewing coffee and organizing your study space, can signal your brain that it’s time to focus.

  • Pre-Social Routine: Before heading out for social activities, take a few minutes to relax and decompress, so you can enjoy your time without the weight of pending tasks.

Balancing Social Life


The quest for academic excellence should not come at the cost of social isolation. Strategies to consider:

  • Time-Limited Socializing: Decide in advance how long you’ll spend at social events.

  • Quality Connections: Focus on meaningful interactions rather than trying to be everywhere at once.

  • Social-Productive Activities: Consider activities like study groups or fitness classes that serve dual purposes.

Stress-Reduction Techniques

  • Physical Exercise: Not only a stress reliever but can be a social activity.

  • Mindfulness Apps: Headspace and Calm offer guided sessions that you can do anytime, anywhere.

  • Proper Nutrition and Sleep: Basic self-care can go a long way in stress reduction.

The Art of Saying ‘No’


You can't do it all. Learn to say ‘no’ to social events or extra commitments when you need to focus on higher-priority tasks.


Conclusion


Succeeding in college is not just about acing your exams but about growing as an individual. That means learning to balance your academic life with your social life, all while keeping stress levels in check. Leveraging technology and setting routines can make this balancing act less overwhelming and more manageable. College is a journey—equip yourself wisely to make the most of it.


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